Modi extends greetings to Pakistanis on Independence Day

ISPR says Indian forces resorted to unprovoked firing on LOC earlier today

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday wished the people of Pakistan a happy Independence Day, hours after India's Border Security Force reportedly resorted to 'unprovoked firing' along the Line of Control. 

Modi took to Twitter to convey his message, passing on greetings and well wishes to the people of Pakistan.

Greetings & good wishes to the people of Pakistan on their Independence Day.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 14, 2015

The greeting comes despite ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Early on Friday morning, India's Border Security Force resorted to 'unprovoked firing' along the Line of Control (LoC), Express News reported quoting the Inter Services Public Relations. However, no casualties were reported.

“Indian forces opened fire at Neza Peer Sector in Rawla Kot,” ISPR said. “Pakistani forces responded effectively,” it added.

Further, Indian's BSF on Wednesday announced that they would not indulge in the annual ritual of exchanging sweets on Independence Day.

Read: Worsening ties: Indian BSF not to exchange sweets with Rangers on Independence Day

“This time this thing will not happen, we will neither receive nor give sweets to Pakistan Rangers on the occasions of Independence Days of both countries," BSF’s Inspector General Frontier Anil Paliwal announced earlier this week.

Despite hostilities, Indian BSF and Pakistan Rangers have traditionally exchanged sweets at border crossings, particularly at the Wagah-Attari border on Independence Day.